Was the Law given through Angels (Galatians 3:19-20)? Great question.
It (the Ten Commandments) was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator for only one party, but God is one.
Galatians 3:19-20
When a Mediator isn’t Needed
Let’s look at the last sentence first. What does it mean that a mediator is not for one party? The meaning is so obvious it goes right past us. There’s no need for an arbitrator if there’s only one person. An intermediary is only needed if there are two parties with a disagreement or, as in this case, a contract or covenant is drawn up.
God Used Angels as Mediators
The first sentence tells us something we didn’t know from reading the Old Testament. Angels played a role when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. That begs the question: What was their part? Why did God use angels when He could have written them Himself?
Was the Law given through Angels (Galatians 3:19-20)?
Angels Mediated the Ten Commandments
The Commandments had Penalties
The book of Hebrews also tells us that angels spoke those words, and disobedience to their commands carried a penalty. That is, the person who broke the Law was penalized.
Rejecting Jesus has Greater Penalties
“For if the word spoken by angels was true, and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation, which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him (Hebrews 2:2-3)?”
The writer’s argument was that the Law given by angels was backed up by a just sentence. And since Christ provided greater salvation than offered by the commandments (the Old Covenant), anyone neglecting Christ’s salvation would receive a more severe penalty. The author warned his readers against returning to serving the Law of Moses instead of resting, i.e., believing in Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice did away with the Law.
The Jewish Nation Didn’t Keep the Commandments
That was Their History
Stephen was an early Christian martyr. He died and was stoned to death by his Jewish audience. He told them they received Moses’ Law, even though they didn’t keep it. But they resisted the Holy Spirit, just like their forefathers did when they persecuted the prophets God sent. They acted like their forefathers when they murdered the Savior God sent, namely, Jesus:
“You stiff-necked people…. You always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you…. They have even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the Law by the disposition of angels, but have not kept it (Acts 7:51-53).”
The Commandments Pointed to Christ
The Jews were proud to have the oracles of God. God gave the Law to one nation: Israel. Yet, they didn’t keep the Law they boasted about. The Law was given to lead them to believe in their Messiah. But when He came to them, they rejected Him.
“What purpose then does the Law serve? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed (Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made (Galatians 3:19).”
Angels are Servants
Angels Serve God
The Jews also thought highly of angels, and Stephen reminded them that the Law was given through angels.
So, why did God use angels as mediators when He could have done everything Himself?
Angels Serve People
God chooses to use angels, His created beings, to carry out His mission. He uses them to serve people, ones who will inherit God’s salvation:
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to minister to those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14)?”
Believers are God’s Mediators: They Witness Salvation to the World
Again, even though He could do everything He wanted by commanding it, He chose to use people to witness His salvation. To spread His gospel to the world:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).”
- God allowed angels to mediate the Ten Commandments to Moses and to serve (especially) believers.
- God also commands believers to mediate His gospel message to every tribe and nation.
